The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu      4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS  This trek along well preserved stretches of the Inca road to Machu Picchu takes you high over mountain passes and down through jungle covered Inca ruins before reaching Machu Picchu, making this one of the world’s most beautiful treks.

Day 1: CHILCA - HUAYLLABAMBA.

• Early start with a two hour bus journey that takes you to Chilca , where you will be met by our porters to begin the trek.
• At first we will follow the course or the Urubamba river high above the rapids and the railway line, until we arrive at Llactapata, after hiking for about 3 ½ hrs.
• At Llactapata, we will find an extensive archaeological site where four rivers come together making it a beautiful natural setting.
• We leave Urubamba and set off for the Kusichaca River and the camping area nearby the village of Huayllabamba.

Day 2: HUAYLLABAMBA - PACAYMAYO.

• After climbing a steep slope we will get to the Valley of Llulluchayoc.
• As you go through the Warmihuañusca Mountain Pass at 4.150 m.a.s.l., you will appreciate a great view.
• Then we will go downhill into the beautiful Valley of Pacaymayo where we will camp for the night.

Day 3: PACAYMAYU - PHUYUPATAMARCA.

• After a less arduous climbing, we will arrive at the remains of the ancient Runcuracay, from where you can see the splendid view of Vilcabamba Mountains Chain with their snow-covered peaks.
• You will notice a change in the vegetation as you go through the Runcuracay Mountain Pass, which proves that you have obviously crossed into the Continental Division of the Amazon Basin.
• The Royal Inca Highway now becomes more evident.
• You will go down to Yanacocha (the Black Lagoon).
• Pass through the Sayajmarca complex entering to the jungle.
• You continue walking, crossing an Inca tunnel where you take the road leading to Phuyupatamarca, the highest Inca construction.
• Camping in the surrounding area.

Day 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU.

• Once again you find yourself in an open field. The Pumasillo and Salkantay Mountains are seen in the distance and hundreds of meters below the Urubamba River can also be seen.
• Descending walk on Inca steps, stopping at the well-preserved Wiñay Wayna complex.
• Arrival at Intipunku (the door of the Inca sun).
• First glimpse of Machu Picchu.
• You continue until you finally reach the route that leads you to your destination, the Magnificent Machu Picchu, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century.
• Visit to the Lost City of Machu Picchu.
• Return to Cusco in the afternoon.
• Transportation to the hotel.

DAY 1 HUARAZ-VAQUERIA

• Drive via Yungay to Lake Llanganuco. Short afternoon acclimatization hike, across a 4,754 meters (15,500 ft.) pass where the view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks of Huascaran, Huandoy and Chacraraju is breathtaking, down to Vaqueria where the tents will be put up for the first camp. (B, L, D)

DAY 2 VAQUERIA-TUCTU

• Walk down towards Colcapampa, through the Huaripampa valley. As we slowly head up this valley, the snow-capped peaks of Paria and Taulliraju will come into view. Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 TUCTU-TAULLIPAMPA

DAY 4 TAULLIPAMPA-LLAMACORRAL

• Walk along the valley of Arhuacocha and continue down the Santa Cruz valley. Finally, towards the end of the day, we walk out of the ever-narrowing gulley into Llamacorral to camp. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 LLAMACORRAL-HUARAZ

• Reaching Cashapampa in early morning, we meet a vehicle to take us back to Huaraz, arriving in the afternoon. (B, L)